"You…" When Elder Li Dongshen recognized the two arrivals, his wrinkled old face froze before turning ashen and ugly. Amidst that grim expression, everyone also saw a clear hint of panic.

Who was Elder Du? He was the number one traditional medicine practitioner in the entire Jiangnan Province! Even Li Dongshen's influence in the domestic Traditional Medicine Community wasn't necessarily greater. What's more, Director Ma Yingtian from the Ministry of Health was also present. The most terrifying part was that Director Ma, who supposedly had a good relationship with him, was now shouting at him like this. What in the world is happening?

A dead silence fell over the room, broken only by the sound of heavy, ragged breaths. In that moment, anyone with half a brain understood the situation. Elder Du and Director Ma Yingtian… they're actually on Chen Fei's side?!

Seeing this, the blood drained from Zhou Zhengping's face. His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the floor. Elder Du? Director Ma Yingtian? How could I possibly afford to offend such major figures? If those two really teamed up, even my master, Li Dongshen, would be in deep trouble. Damn it! On what grounds? Why does this kid deserve to have such powerful people eagerly speak for him, even at the cost of offending my master?

Doctor Zhou Zhengping's heart was instantly consumed by jealousy, and he silently roared at the unfairness of it all.

However, Elder Du and Director Ma didn't spare him a single glance. Instead, looking anxious, they both hurried to Chen Fei's side.

Elder Du spoke first, his tone full of self-reproach. "Doctor Chen, my apologies, I'm late. If I had been here, I would have chased these clueless fools away long before they had a chance to act so presumptuously."

It turned out that he had been away on an urgent assignment from his superiors and had only just returned. That was why he had only just learned that Chen Fei would be personally representing the Traditional Medicine Community of Huaxia in the final match. He had been excitedly preparing to greet him when he stumbled upon this scene. How could I not be furious and ashamed? If I had been here the whole time, this surely would never have happened, right?

Seeing Elder Du—a veritable Mount Tai Beidou, a titan of the Republic's Traditional Medicine Community—treat the young man with such deference shocked everyone present to their core.

Zhou Zhengping, in particular, looked deathly pale, as if the world was ending. With Elder Du's power and influence in the national Traditional Medicine Community, if he decided to target him, even with his master Li Dongshen's backing, he would be in immense trouble.

But before he could recover, the next scene made him tremble even more violently. Director Ma Yingtian had also approached Chen Fei, his attitude not just respectful, but filled with a hint of trepidation. "Mr. Chen, I'm so sorry. These people are ignorant and have caused…"

This was the man who had saved Old Master Xuu, one of the unshakable pillars of the Republic. This was a man who would cut down members of the Sunx Family without a second thought. Compared to him, what was a mere department director like Ma Yingtian? He had to distance himself from Li Dongshen and his disciple immediately, lest he be dragged down with them when the consequences came.

"Elder Du, Director Ma… you two…" Even Vice Principal Song Bing's expression changed dramatically, and he began to stammer in his confusion.

These were giants! Elder Du, a renowned titan of the national Traditional Medicine Community whose influence was in no way inferior to Elder Li's, and Director Ma, the powerful and prestigious head of a department in the Ministry of Health! And now, both of them were inexplicably apologizing to this young man?

All because of Zhou Zhengping's petty offense? If that's really the case… Principal Song Bing drew a sharp breath. When he looked at Chen Fei again, his eyes were filled with deep shock and reverence.

It seems this young man's background is far more terrifying than I imagined! Could it be that not even Li Dongshen, or even his powerful backer, Master Muf, can compare? No, that's impossible, right?

But he had no time to dwell on it, as the final match was about to begin. Adopting a serious expression, he stepped in to mediate. "Elder Du, Director Ma, there must be a misunderstanding here. Elder Li and Zhengping were only acting out of concern for the Traditional Medicine Community of Huaxia. Besides, they are both young men, and tempers flared. It's nothing serious. Let's all just calm down."

"Elder Du, Director Ma, our national dignity and the honor of the Traditional Medicine Community of Huaxia are what matter most! Do you really believe this kid is stronger than my disciple?" Li Dongshen was practically exploding with rage, though he maintained a dignified facade. With that question, he was tearing away all pretense and issuing a direct challenge, unwilling to let this chance for fame and glory slip through his fingers.

In his eyes, Chen Fei is just some kid who pulled strings to get here! What real skill could he possibly have to compare with my disciple?

"Impudence!"

"How audacious!"

The moment Li Dongshen's words fell, Elder Du and Director Ma slammed their hands on the table in unison, as if triggered. They glared at Li Dongshen, their eyes blazing with fury.

What a joke! Do they have any idea who Doctor Chen is? He's someone that even I, Du, feel inferior to! He's the man who saved Old Master Xuu! He is a peerless national treasure, a modern-day Hua Tuo or Bian Que! Across the entire country, you could probably count on one hand the number of people whose medical skills can compare to his. What is Li Dongshen's disciple? For that matter, what is Li Dongshen himself? So ignorant, so arrogant, so utterly clueless!

"Li Dongshen, let me tell you this in no uncertain terms," Elder Du finally erupted, his voice cold as he stared at Li Dongshen's aged face. "A person of your disciple's caliber is not even qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as Doctor Chen! And it's not just him. Even you, Li Dongshen, do not have that qualification!"

"You… you… what did you say?! Surnamed Du, what do you mean by that?" Li Dongshen's face turned a furious, dark shade of purple.

Who was he, Li Dongshen? He was the disciple of the great Medical Sage, Muf Longkun! And now, what is this surnamed Du implying? That my decades of painstaking research and my attainments in traditional medicine are inferior to some twenty-something brat? Is he insulting me directly?

At that thought, Master Li Dongshen trembled with rage. He jabbed a finger at Chen Fei and roared at Elder Du, "Surnamed Du, open your damn eyes and look at him! How old is he? How many years has he even been alive? And you're saying my medical skills are inferior to his? You're full of shit! This ignorant brat isn't fit to polish my shoes!" In his fury, he had lost all restraint and started cursing openly.

"Insolence! Li Dongshen, what nonsense are you spouting? Shut your mouth!" Ma Yingtian's face went pale, and he yelled with unconcealed panic.

"Who do you think you are, surnamed Li?!" Elder Du was now equally enraged, on the verge of physically lunging at him. "If you hadn't gotten lucky and been accepted as Master Muf's disciple in your youth, you'd be an absolute nobody! Utterly worthless!"

"You… you… what did you say…" Li Dongshen's face twitched violently. He glared at Elder Du, stuttering "you… you…" for a long moment, unable to form a complete sentence. He couldn't believe it. For the sake of some flashy, useless fraud, this surnamed Du was turning on him, Li Dongshen, to such a degree. What did he mean, 'if I hadn't gotten lucky'? Is my position as the Vice President of the Traditional Medicine Association a sham?

"Surnamed Du, let me tell you—" Li Dongshen could no longer hold back and was about to escalate things further.

"Silence!"

Just then, a deep, aged voice thundered like a clap of thunder, ringing in everyone's ears.

Everyone froze, instinctively turning to look.

"Ma-Master Muf?!" Principal Song Bing, the first to recognize the owner of the voice, was utterly shocked and flustered. He never imagined that Master Muf, Muf Longkun himself, would appear in person. And at this exact moment!

"What?!" Hearing Principal Song's exclamation, everyone's expression changed drastically, especially Li Dongshen and his direct disciple, Zhou Zhengping.

"Master, why have you come in person?" Li Dongshen asked, his voice filled with excitement as he looked at the white-haired elder in a traditional Tang suit standing at the backstage entrance.

"Grandmaster!" Zhou Zhengping looked as if he had just seen his savior. He rushed to lodge his complaint. "Grandmaster, listen to me! You have no idea, they were—"

"Shut your mouth!" Before he could finish, Muf Longkun cut him off, his face cold.

"Master…" Li Dongshen was stunned. A sense of foreboding crept into his heart.

As for Zhou Zhengping, his words cut off so abruptly, his face paled and his body shuddered. Was that… a hint of cold indifference in my grandmaster's eyes?!

Witnessing this, the crowd was completely dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what game Master Muf was playing.

But then, as everyone watched with widening eyes, Master Muf slowly walked over to Chen Fei. He observed him in silence for a long moment, then, to their utter astonishment, he bowed his head slightly and apologized. "It is my failure to discipline him properly. My apologies for the offense."

"No… G-Grandmaster…" At Master Muf's words, let alone Li Dongshen, Zhou Zhengping himself nearly collapsed on the spot. His teeth began to chatter uncontrollably out of pure, unadulterated fear.

As long as he wasn't a complete idiot, he understood exactly what this meant. He had just caused a cataclysmic disaster. Even my own grandmaster… is apologizing to him?

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